When you first enlist in the U.S. Army you are immediately shipped off to Basic Training where you gain the knowledge necessary to be successful in battle. Scripture memorization, although with little emphasis in the church anymore, is spiritual Basic Training. "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8 More often than not we throw ourselves into the dark and wicked battle of the world unprepared and helpless. Memorizing the Word is what helps us in times of attack. It is what slays the devil and draws us back. It helps erase the bad programming in our heads. It washes and cleans out rubbish and filth and makes room for the beauty of the character of Christ. Memorizing God's word can purify your heart and will make a profound impact on your life. What are you putting into your mind and heart?
- We are told to be prepared to answer questions concerning our faith in Christ. (1 Peter 3:15)
- Paul was able to reason with non-Christians because of his knowledge of the word. (Acts 17:1-4)
- Having the Word in our hearts allows us to encourage and teach others. (Colossians 3:16)
- Knowing and using the Word teaches us right from wrong.(Hebrews 5:13-14)
- It can increase our ability to distinguish truth from error in doctrine
- It will help our prayer life (John 15:7)
- Knowing God's word allows us to study the Bible more effectively
- If we know the scriptures we can meditate on it anytime wherever we are. (Psalm 16:7)
- It helps us to stand firm against Satan's attacks.
"The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip."Psalm 37:30-31
There is no verse not worth memorizing. Memorize what the Lord has specifically laid on your heart, verses of certain interest to you, verses that help counter temptations you struggle with and verses that you can use to encourage others. Don't overdo it, memorize one to four verses at a time. At the same time don't under do it either, you know what you can handle, challenge yourself.
Current favorites of mine that I've been working on pertain to the actions of the wise and foolish. Most of them lie in the chapter of proverbs and they are wonderful little pieces of wisdom to have stored in your heart.
How do you respond when corrected? Do you begin to take it seriously only after it is repeated to you multiple times? Or are you thankful for the slightest hint at reproof and take it seriously then and there?
"A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool." Proverbs 17:10
"Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words." Proverbs 23:9
Do you talk more than you listen or are you discreet in what you think and know?
"A fool's voice is known by multitude of words." - Ecclesiastes 5:3b
"A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back." Proverbs 29:11
"Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent." Provers 17:28
What come out of your mouth? Is it encouraging words that edify or do you often get in trouble for your mouth?
"A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul." Proverbs 18:7
"In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly." Proverbs 13:16
"Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. - Eph 5:4"
In the heat of the moment do you: argue for the fun of it and lose your temper or are you often the peacemaker and diplomatic one?
"The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult." Proverbs 12:16
"A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating." Proverbs 18:6
"If a wise man has an argument with a fool,the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet." Proverbs 29:9
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Proverbs 18:3
Proverbs 14:16
What kind of people to you tend to gravitate towards? Apethetic, snarky or goofy in character or people that are edifying and knowledgable?
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. - Ecclesiastes 7:5
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. – Proverbs 9:6
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. – Proverbs 13:20
What do people come to you for? To have a fun time or a good laugh? For companionship in their silliness and immaturity or for wise counsel, sympathy and words of life?
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. Pro 15:14
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Pro 15:21
Do people know you as a prudent one? Or are you known as Rash, frivolous or implosive?
The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. - Ecclesiastes 2:14
Do you see your parents as too strict and over critical, not accepting the way you are? Or are they your dearest friends and a constant source of wisdom, encouragement and guidance?
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. - Proverbs 15:5
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. - Proverbs 22:15
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. - Proverbs 10:1
Do people know you as a prudent one? Or are you known as Rash, frivolous or implosive?
The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. - Ecclesiastes 2:14
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. – Proverbs 14:15
…he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. - Proverbs 14:29
Is ignorance bliss; something that you will get around to fixing or is it something you strive to overcome on a daily basis?
Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God. - Jeremiah 5:4
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. - Psalms 92:6
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. - Proverbs 15:7
Do you see your parents as too strict and over critical, not accepting the way you are? Or are they your dearest friends and a constant source of wisdom, encouragement and guidance?
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. - Proverbs 15:5
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. - Proverbs 22:15
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. - Proverbs 10:1
Do you strive everyday to overcome foolishness or are you accepting your sin nature as 'who you are?'
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. – Proverbs 12:15
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. – Proverbs 18:15
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. - Proverbs 27:22
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. - Pro 18:2
Is foolishness a sin?
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. – Proverbs 24:9
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. – Proverbs 14:9
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: - Ecclesiastes 7:25
I love all of those verses. Super convicting and thought provoking and they are wonderful things to have memorized for daily use in the world!
Is foolishness a sin?
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. – Proverbs 24:9
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. – Proverbs 14:9
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: - Ecclesiastes 7:25
I love all of those verses. Super convicting and thought provoking and they are wonderful things to have memorized for daily use in the world!
Have a great rest of the week :)
Hayden ~
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